In a highlight of his career Brook won the Australian League World Cup Jumping leaderboard.
Brook won riding his young star Advisor, an 11-year-old grey gelding by Belcam Agassi. Brook and Advisor also won the Golden Grand perpetual trophy for the most successful horse, a feat that has not occurred by a Victorian combination since 1997!Billy Raymont was ranked 2nd at the conclusion of the Australian League and Cathy Graham was just 4 points behind in 3rd position.
Advisor was bred by Belcam Stud (Qld) and produced to “B” Grade by Kristy Bruhn. Brook who had always liked the horse bought him from Kristy in May 2009 and said that the first 4 months were very testing.
“He had a mind of his own and I wondered whether or not I was wasting my time, but after about four months something clicked and we haven’t looked back,” said Brook who along with his wife Angela, runs a training centre “Glenwood Park” in Yarra Glen (Vic).
It has been a rapid rise to the top for the pair. Brook started Advisor in his first World Cup class in at Sydney Royal in 2010.
“I had hoped to do a few World Cups and finish OK,” said Brook. “If you had told me I would win the League pointscore I would have never believed you!” Previously, Brook's best finish in the leaderboards was 3rd "a long time ago, " laughed Brook.
Brook would love to go to the World Cup Final, but not this year. “The horse is not ready, I will go to New Zealand in March and then come back to compete in the World Cups in Australia. Hopefully in 2011 I could be in the same position that I am in now and have the opportunity to go to the 2012 final.”
Either way Brook plans to take the horse to Europe in 2012.
Until this year Brook was best known for his performances on the pocket rocket Shine. Shine was Victorian Jumping Horse of the Year for three consecutive years. Advisor has taken the heat off Shine,” said Brook. “Shine is only 15.2hh and all heart but not quite big enough for the serious stuff”.
This year the final round of ther World Cup was held at Shepparton (Vic), which had been postponed from its original date due to wet weather. The Shepparton World Cup Class was won by Kristy Bruhn from Mount Gambier in South Australia. Riding Harbarty, Kristy broke through for her first Pacific League World Cup win.
Kristy, who has been a great supporter of the Shepparton event, was thrilled with her win especially since Harbarty is a home bred, broken and educated horse. Harbarty was untouchable over all three days, winning each of the three classes that he started.
Brook Dobbin and Advisor were runners-up at Shepparton. Brook would like to thank Kentucky Equine Research for their valued support over many years.
Congratulations to all the World Cup riders.
CLICK HERE for full results of the FEI World Cup Australian League.
Brook Dobbin riding Advisor (Photo:Derek O'Leary/EA Story: Nicola Turner/EA)